IPL 2022: Kuldeep Yadav was unable to get opportunities with KKR – Ricky Ponting

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting wants to give the right environment to Kuldeep Yadav so that the wrist-spinner can flower in the ongoing season of the IPL.

Kuldeep was down on confidence after he played a handful of matches for KKR in IPL 2020 and didn’t even get to play a single game in the previous season as the franchise preferred the duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.

However, Kuldeep has been seen bowling with confidence for Delhi Capitals as he is receiving backing from Ricky Ponting and Rishabh Pant. The chinaman spinner has scalped 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 14.73 in the ongoing season.

But the experienced spinner didn’t have a great outing against Royal Challengers Bangalore as he conceded 46 runs in his quota of four overs and could take only one wicket on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ponting revealed that they were really keen to get the services of Kuldeep Yadav in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Kuldeep was roped in for INR 2 crores by Delhi Capitals in the auction.

“Kuldeep is really thriving in the environment that we are creating around him. We were very keen to get him in the auctions. Obviously at KKR in a couple of seasons, with the quality of spinners they had with Chakravarthy, Narine, and even Shakib, he was unable to get the opportunity that he should have got. He is one of the leading spinners in the IPL and has been playing for his country,” Ponting said in a post-match conference.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals lost their third match of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore by 16 runs on Saturday. DC had to chase down 190 runs and they got off to a flier, thanks to David Warner, who scored 66 runs from 38 balls. However, Mitchell Marsh meandered to 14 runs off 24 balls and the pressure kept rising on Warner at the other end.

“There was so much pressure building today on the other end and a lot of pressure fell on Warner, so, he was forced to do what he did. He wouldn’t have done it if the scoring from the other end had been good. There are some areas for improvement, both from bat and ball. We need to get better in all aspects of the game,” Ponting added.

Delhi will next take on Punjab Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Wednesday.